5 Ways to Keep The Romance Alive In Your Marriage

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When you hear the word “romance” do you think only of dating couples or newlyweds? What about couples who have been married for a year or two, or five, ten, twenty or more years? Although the years can bring about many changes in a couple’s relationship, it is still very possible to keep the romance alive and well, to the point that you become in fact more and more “in love” with each other as the years go by. But this is by no means an automatic process – it requires conscious and continuous effort on the part of both spouses. With a little practice and perseverance, this effort can be immensely rewarding in term of sustained intimacy and romance in your marriage.

Perhaps you have become aware that things have gotten a bit “stale” in your marriage and maybe you’re just so busy and exhausted by the time you flop into bed at night. The fact that you have realized this is good if you take it as a wake up call. Now is a great time to start doing those little things which can make a big difference. There are many different ways to keep the romance alive in your marriage every day as each couple has unique preferences and favorites. Below are five ideas to get you started on the exciting journey of keeping your marriage relationship close, contended and creative.

Make Hello’s and Goodbye’s Count

Simple but thoughtful greetings can go a long way to keeping the romance alive in your marriage and setting a good tone for the day. As you say good bye when you leave for work, instead of rushing off with a quick peck on the cheek and a hasty “see you later”, take just a few seconds longer for a real kiss and a loving word. Tell your spouse that you will be thinking of them while you are apart and you will look forward to seeing them again. As they leave, watch them drive (or walk) away until they are out of sight and give a final wave when they are about to disappear. And then when you come home again after work, instead of a casual “Hi, how was your day?” make it a mini reunion. Give each other a smile, a hug and a nice long kiss that really says, “I missed you and I’m so glad to see you again.”

Be Thankful for Every Blessing

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Being thankful can be the single most effective antidote to a whole range of negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, complaining and arguing. If we can just recognize and focus on how blessed we are, it makes all our challenges easier to bear. Don’t take anything about your spouse for granted. The fact that they married you is the first thing to be grateful for. Then there are countless things which you can make a point of thanking your spouse for specifically everyday – for cooking a meal, washing your clothes, helping the kids with schoolwork, fixing the leaking faucet, mowing the lawn, or any other practical thing they may have done. And don’t forget be thankful to your spouse for things like being a good listener, a faithful friend and a loving parent to your children.

Help Around the House

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Sometimes the most romantic thing you can do for your spouse is to hang out a load of washing, load the dishwasher, or wash the windows. Cooking a meal together is very romantic too and of course nothing beats taking turns to change baby diapers! Don’t expect your spouse to feel intimate and romantic if she is exhausted from doing all the chores around the house while you relax watching TV every evening until bedtime. When you show some consideration and willingness to help, you may just be surprised to find how the flame of romance is ignited in your marriage. And as you get through the chores quicker together you will have more time to relax and enjoy one another’s company every day.

Use Any Excuse to Celebrate

Your marriage is certainly something worth celebrating, but don’t just wait for your anniversary or Valentine’s Day. Find any and every reason to celebrate, whether it’s a first-kiss date, engagement date or any other random calendar date. Get out the candles, balloons and cake, invite some special friends and family over, or make a romantic table setting just for the two of you. Remembering and cherishing special events is a great way to build your own family traditions and set a strong and secure foundation of blessing and trust in your marriage.

Once you get into the swing of practicing these ways to keep romance alive in your marriage every day you may just find that you start coming up with lots more ideas of your own, as you go from strength to strength with your spouse. As the saying goes, “nothing breeds success like success.”